M
12(5
Al'I'LAUSK.
I I
I
V-
M,
!
It cannot be denied that to bo showered
with praises Irom a multitude; to catch
the approving smile of beauty; the
encouragement of power, and to be lau
ded on every side, are attractions and
charms which no ordinary being is capa
ble of resisting. What great orator is
there but feels elated, when hearty ap
plause greets his eloquent remarks. Well
miglit we say with Cowper:
" Oh popular npplnu-o J What lioiut of mini
if proof anlii8t thoy sweet tortiiclng clinrim ?"
2Sro man or woman cn justly be con
demned for sensibility to praise. The Su
prcmo Kuler of the Universe is not averse
to being praised.
"Tho lovo of praise, howe'r concealed liy nrl
Itolgns more or loe-, ami slows in every Itenrt.
The proud to gain it. tolls on tollc umlnro,
Tho modest slum it. but to make it uro."
Praise is a tribute which every one de
serves, w 10 has performed some merito
rious service, and to refuse this reward is
to Jo an injustice. Praise is a stinuilcnt
to further and nobler exertions, and pmise
with-hold from the deserving, has often
checked a promising career; blighted the
hopes of the sensitive; and oppressed and
cast tho shadows of discouragement
around others, until they have sunk in the
abyss cf misfortune.
Thu desire to have the good of all
should be emulated by every one. We
can conceive of an individual, so conduct
ing himself in a com muni (3 as not to cre
ate in the breast of any one, a pang of
jealousy or feeling of hatred towards him ;
but he must necessarily be a sort of nuii-
cntit3', ol)equious and assimilative .Such
an individual cannot be popular in the
true sense of the word. Ho goes through
the world unmolested like thousands of
his stripe, simply, because he aspires to
nothing; takes 110 active part in public
affairs, and does nothing of any particular
moment to his fellow men around him.
We can however conceive ot an individu
al deserving and commanding popular re
gard and admiration by pursuing a bold
honest course, even though he be at times
opposed, on some important question, to n
majority in his community. It show- in
dividuality and independence of thought
to bo so opposed, and, con-oquonlly his
personal popularity is not in the len-l
weakened, but often enhanced.
Hut a man actirg thu- must be no doll.
He must be favored with common sense,
which Gui.ot alllnus to be the "Genius
of humanity." lit! must bo generous and
public spirited, lie must also bo u man of
broad views, and not a bigot of one idea.
A man that cannot see the merits of any
thing, unless he look through the pages
containing the article-, of his loligious
creed, or the creed of ht political paity,
is undeserving ol conlhJenoe, and unlit u
be intrusted with a responsible position.
It matters not so much what a iumii be
lieves if he bo honest in his convictions.
An intelligent public opinion will never
ostracize anyone for the expression of
honest convictions. When we say this, we
take in consideration that theie is a prop,
er time for everything. Many with a la
mentable impetuosity, unfortunate for
themselves and those whom tl.ey allliel,
boldly Haunt their peci.li.-tr opinions in
the faces of others, whenever mi ODimrtu-
is offered, thus causing themselves to be
regarded in an unfavorable light. Any
individual that will take advantage of an
audience and impose on them certain re
ligious or other opinions radically uiffer
ciit and obnoxious to them, when they
have evidently assembled to hear some
thing of a different nature, is dosorviugof
popular condemnation Throughout the
world, we ob-erve men fearless to
speak; honest in their convictions, but
fated, as it were, to speak at an inoppor
tune moment.
Many persons labor under tho delusion
that they can only be popular by pamper
ing to the tastes, wishes and opinions of
others. Demagogues, and other who
would protest against sjth an appellation,
in striving for fame and po-iiion, think it
necessary to Hatter and eo,t. the people,
as they would . n anim il, in order to pio-
